1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play The Normal Heart takes place from July 1981 to May 1984. The setting is New York City. The play begins with a strong-minded and determined woman who demands the gay community to stop having sexual intercourse. Dr. Emma Brookner was diagnosed with polio before they found a cure, due to her disease, she became paralyzed and now rides in a wheelchair. She is an intimidating character who uses the fear of others as an authoritative advantage. Ned Weeks is her accomplice. He spreads the word in a more radical way and makes many enemies while losing many friends. The other characters want to fight for the gay community but do not want to be aggressive.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is the day Ned finds out Felix has a spot on the bottom of his foot that resembles the symptoms of AIDS. Ned doesn't retrieve the disease throughout the play which makes the audience assume his partner is safe from retrieving it as well. It comes as a surprise when Felix finds the dark spot because it does not make sense how he got it. Felix accuses Ned of being a carrier which would be ironic because while trying to stop the spread he may be spreading it himself.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day Ned looks at the conditions AIDS patients are in and have to live in. This is when he becomes prompt in making a change.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Ned contract AIDS?
Will they find out what the "cancer" truly is?
Will awareness of AIDS be spread throughout not just the gay community but the straight one as well?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
1. The characters are aware of the epidemic, however, the characters are lost and confused.
2. Both the audience and the characters know the extent and the extremities of the disease because both groups have witnessed it.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment is the moment Felix shows Ned his dark mark on the bottom of his foot. This is the most dramatic scene in my opinion and helps the audience create sympathy for Ned because during the entire play, his aggressive and coarse behavior makes more enemies than friends.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Discrimination
Equality
Determination
Love
Loss
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants to stop the spread of AIDS and make people more aware of the symptoms, causes, and resources for the community.
His community, straight and gay, low funding, lack of support from family and friends, and aggressive tactics prevent him from catching the positive feedback and attention he is looking for.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title itself is imagery because while there is no image of a normal heart it represents the equality desired by the gay community and Ned specifically from his brother. His brother struggled with looking at Ned as his equal. He constantly thought of Ned as different. The gay community is looked as less of a person and the straight community dehumanizes the gay community which causes differences and disagreements. The straight community basically shuns the gay community because they feel as if there is something wrong with them. The title represents what everyone has and what the gay community strives to show others.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
There are two types of family represented in the play. The first type is blood-related demonstrated by Ned and Ben, his brother. Ben doesn't look at Ned as his equal and refuses to lie about it, causing a split in their relationship and communication. Ben feels pity for Ned which makes Ned furious, causing him to walk out and never speak to him again until his brother can accept him as the same. Another type of family is the community groups demonstrated by the gay community. They stick together and fight against the hatred brought on by others that look down on them.
The play The Normal Heart takes place from July 1981 to May 1984. The setting is New York City. The play begins with a strong-minded and determined woman who demands the gay community to stop having sexual intercourse. Dr. Emma Brookner was diagnosed with polio before they found a cure, due to her disease, she became paralyzed and now rides in a wheelchair. She is an intimidating character who uses the fear of others as an authoritative advantage. Ned Weeks is her accomplice. He spreads the word in a more radical way and makes many enemies while losing many friends. The other characters want to fight for the gay community but do not want to be aggressive.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is the day Ned finds out Felix has a spot on the bottom of his foot that resembles the symptoms of AIDS. Ned doesn't retrieve the disease throughout the play which makes the audience assume his partner is safe from retrieving it as well. It comes as a surprise when Felix finds the dark spot because it does not make sense how he got it. Felix accuses Ned of being a carrier which would be ironic because while trying to stop the spread he may be spreading it himself.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day Ned looks at the conditions AIDS patients are in and have to live in. This is when he becomes prompt in making a change.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Ned contract AIDS?
Will they find out what the "cancer" truly is?
Will awareness of AIDS be spread throughout not just the gay community but the straight one as well?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
1. The characters are aware of the epidemic, however, the characters are lost and confused.
2. Both the audience and the characters know the extent and the extremities of the disease because both groups have witnessed it.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment is the moment Felix shows Ned his dark mark on the bottom of his foot. This is the most dramatic scene in my opinion and helps the audience create sympathy for Ned because during the entire play, his aggressive and coarse behavior makes more enemies than friends.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Discrimination
Equality
Determination
Love
Loss
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants to stop the spread of AIDS and make people more aware of the symptoms, causes, and resources for the community.
His community, straight and gay, low funding, lack of support from family and friends, and aggressive tactics prevent him from catching the positive feedback and attention he is looking for.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title itself is imagery because while there is no image of a normal heart it represents the equality desired by the gay community and Ned specifically from his brother. His brother struggled with looking at Ned as his equal. He constantly thought of Ned as different. The gay community is looked as less of a person and the straight community dehumanizes the gay community which causes differences and disagreements. The straight community basically shuns the gay community because they feel as if there is something wrong with them. The title represents what everyone has and what the gay community strives to show others.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
There are two types of family represented in the play. The first type is blood-related demonstrated by Ned and Ben, his brother. Ben doesn't look at Ned as his equal and refuses to lie about it, causing a split in their relationship and communication. Ben feels pity for Ned which makes Ned furious, causing him to walk out and never speak to him again until his brother can accept him as the same. Another type of family is the community groups demonstrated by the gay community. They stick together and fight against the hatred brought on by others that look down on them.